Lung Function Service

We provide a diagnostic service for Consultants and Specialist Nurses within Cardiff and Vale UHB, who are investigating Respiratory conditions such as Asthma, COPD, Interstitial Lung Disease, Bronchiectasis, Pulmonary Hypertension, and more!

- Spirometry
- Full Lung Function Testing
- Reversibility
- FeNO
- Muscle Function Testing – MIP/MEP/SNIP/Sitting & Lying Spirometry
- Capillary Blood Gas Analysis
- 6 Minute Walk Testing
- Methacholine, Colomycin & Hypertonic Saline Challenges
- Exercise Induced Asthma Testing
- Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Spirometry and Reversibility

Spirometry is a simple test to diagnose or monitor certain respiratory conditions by measuring the amount of air that can be breathed out in a relaxed and in a forced manner. 

Indications for testing is breathlessness or persistent cough. Spirometry can aid in the diagnosis of conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and Pulmonary Fibrosis can be diagnosed with a spirometry test. 

Reversibility testing or Bronchodilator response testing is a test to determine whether lung function can be improved after been given an inhaler.  

Patient Leaflet for Spirometry and Reversibility

Spirometry and bronchodilator reversibility test | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Full Lung Function Testing

This includes Spirometry as above and…

Transfer Factor Testing

The gas transfer test measures the diffusive capabilities of the alveoli i.e how well oxygen can enter the bloodstream from the lungs and vice versa for carbon dioxide.   

Lung Volume Testing

In addition to spirometry, lung volume testing offers an in-depth breakdown of the volumes of the lungs, allowing for the direct measurement of the individual measurements that combine to make Total lung capacity. 

Patient Leaflet Full Lung Function Testing

Gas transfer test | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Lung volume test | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO)

FeNO is a tool to aid in the diagnosis of asthma, it measures levels of nitric oxide in your breath.  Nitric oxide is a marker that indicates that inflammation is present, high levels of nitric oxide in your breath could be a sign you have asthma.

Patient Leaflet FeNO

FeNO test | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Muscle Function Testing

Muscle function tests assess for weakness in the respiratory muscles.

Tests Include

Sniff nasal pressure (SNIP)

Mouth inspiratory/expiratory pressure (MIP/MEP)

Sitting vs supine spirometry

Cough peak flow (CPF)

Patient Leaflet Muscle Function Testing

Respiratory muscle tests | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Capillary Blood Gas Analysis

Capillary Blood gas testing is a simple, non-invasive test to assess the lungs ability to exchange gases via the alveoli.   

Patient Leaflet Capillary Blood Gas Analysis

Oxygen level testing | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Methacholine Challenge

A methacholine challenge test is used to rule out a diagnosis of asthma by assessing for airway hyperresponsiveness.  Due to the test being a direct challenge and highly sensitive, a negative test can clinically exclude current asthma while a positive test is consistent with but not diagnostic of asthma. 

Methacholine Challenge Test is often considered when traditional methods, spirometry and reversibility, have not established or eliminated the diagnosis of asthma. 

Patient Leaflet Methacholine Challenge Test

Bronchial challenge tests | Asthma + Lung UK (asthmaandlung.org.uk)

Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is our most in-depth test performed within our department.  It is used to assess subjects with unexplained dyspnea on exertion as well as exercise capacity and estimating prognosis in various disease states.  

Patient Leaflet CPET